The Active Historian

Born in 1891, Verna Smith grew up loving horses. Her family lived in Kettle Fells, Washington on a ranch. Later in her life Verna would go by the name, “Bonnie Gray.”

Bonnie went on to attend Moscow Idaho University completing her degree in music. She was a natural athlete and participated in track and tennis. Upon graduating college, she returned to teach music in Kettle Fells for a short period.

Bonnie also felt a need to serve soldiers during World War I. She trained to become a nurse at a military post in Montana. Upon completing her training, Bonnie joined her brother in Arizona who was a doctor.

Bonnie eventually decided to give trick riding a try. Her interest in this sport began when she was a young girl. After a few years of practice she began riding professionally in 1922. Many people believe she was the first woman to successfully complete the trick of riding underneath a horse at full speed.

In 1922, Bonnie Gray and Mabel Strickland tied as winners of the Trick Riding competition at Madison Square Garden. She won $350 for this title.

Bonnie rode a horse named, “King Tut” and some people began calling her the “King Tut Cowgirl.”

She would sit atop King Tut and make him jump over a car full of people. Oftentimes those people inside the car were dignitaries who were amazed along with the crowd of her skills and expertise.

In April 1924, Bonnie participated in a trick riding exhibition in Riverside, California. She and other trick riders went under the bellies of their horses at full speed.

In August 1928, Bonnie Gray and King Tut signed a contract for $400 for trick riding at the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo in Utah.

In June 1930, Bonnie married Donald W. Harris, a fellow trick rider from Burbank, California. They were married in a pasture with over 100 mounted guests in attendance.

“Bonnie Gray, whose automobile jump and trick riding have inspired such admiration, is an unusual sort of person. College graduate, national sorority member, graduate nurse who served during with world war in Camp Lewis hospital, a holder of records for hiking and athletics for women, and a graduate from Idaho State college school of music in piano.”

“Strawberry Roan Ravings.” Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), September 30, 1932.

On April 21-22, 1934, Bonnie participated in the Red Bluff Roundup.

Bonnie eventually made the transition from trick riding to stunt work in Hollywood. She acted as a double for many famous actors! Among those being Ken Maynard, Hoot Gibson, Tim McCoy, and Tom Mix.

Bonnie Gray Harris was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1981.

She passed away on April 28, 1988. She was 97 years old.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading and learning about the life of Bonnie Gray. Join me next time as we continue ‘breaking trail’ and learning the stories of the American West!

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Sources

Secondary Sources

Websites

Chris Enss. “COWGIRL Iconic: Bonnie Gray.” COWGIRL Magazine, July 10, 2020.

“Bonnie Gray Harris.” National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

“Doubleday’s Cowgirls: Women in the Rodeo, Part Two.” Blog. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Shirley Flyyn. “Darlings of the Rodeo.” True West: History of the American Frontier. September 1, 2022.

Primary Sources

Bonnie Gray Papers. Dickinson Research Center. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. [Collection landing page on website.]

Newspapers

“She’s Champion Trick Rider.” Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey), August 31, 1922.

“Two Bonnie Westerners.” The New York Times (New York City, New York), November 12, 1922.

“Grand Exposition.” El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas), April 14, 1923.

“Many Thrills.” Riverside Daily Press (Riverside, California), April 5, 1924.

“Bonnie Gray And Wild West Crew Will Be Stellar Attraction At The State Fair.” Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, California), August 22, 1925.

“When Men Pulled Their Skill Against Horses.” The Fresno Morning Republican (Fresno, California), May 14, 1927.

“Now Playing At Main Arena Exposition Grounds Reno Wild West Show.” Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada), June 28, 1927.

“Charles E. Irwin Show Co. at Kimball Fair.” The Sidney Telegraph (Sidney, Nebraska), August 23, 1927.

“Ride ‘Em Cowboy! High, Wide, Handsome.” Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California), May 3, 1928.

“Stage Is Set For Opening Of Saugus Rodeo Tomorrow.” Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California), May 4, 1928.

“Many New Features For Fair And Rodeo.” The Garland Times (Garland, Utah), August 23, 1928.

“First Wedding Of Its Kind.” Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, California), July 2, 1930.

“Entire Bridal Party Ride Horses at Wedding.” Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, Utah), June 20, 1930.

“Strawberry Roan Ravings.” Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), September 30, 1932.

“Rodeo Will Be Held At Seaside Park Dec. 3 And 4.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat (Ventura, California), November 18, 1932.

“Rodeo Ventura Fair Grounds.” Morning Free Press (Ventura, California), November 30, 1932.

“Bonnie Rarin’ To Go.” The Corning Daily Observer (Corning, California), April 20, 1934.

“Grayhaired Horsewoman Recalls Her Cowgirl Capers.” Valley Times (North Hollywood, California), November 27, 1959.

*All newspaper clippings in this blog post were pulled from newspapers.com. All digitized primary sources were found on ancestry.com unless stated otherwise. I am not affiliated with either website. I just wanted to let you know where I found my digitized sources.

*Blog Cover Photo: “When Men Pulled Their Skill Against Horses.” The Fresno Morning Republican (Fresno, California), May 14, 1927.